Modi not challenging Election Commission: MJ Akbar

Barely hours after Narendra Modi charged the Election Commission with not acting impartially and dared it to take action against him, the BJP sought to downplay its prime ministerial nominee’s remarks in West Bengal, saying he was merely making a “suggestion”.

Barely hours after Narendra Modi charged the Election Commission with not acting impartially and dared it to take action against him, the BJP sought to downplay its prime ministerial nominee’s remarks in West Bengal, saying he was merely making a “suggestion”.

"No... certainly not. He is just making a suggestion as any other political leader would do, which by the way other political parties in West Bengal have also made. The Left has also made," BJP national spokesperson MJ Akbar told reporters when asked if Modi was challenging the EC.

During a rally in West Bengal on Sunday, Modi had accused the EC of not acting impartially in the wake of complaints of booth rigging in West Bengal, Bihar and western Uttar Pradesh and dared it to take action against him.

"Why are you not acting? What is your intention? If you feel wrong about what I am saying now, then you are free to lodge another case against me," Modi told an election rally in Asansol.

Modi’s attack on the EC came days after an FIR was lodged against him following a direction from the poll panel which said he had violated electoral laws by displaying his party symbol after casting his vote in Gandhinagar and addressed a press conference soon thereafter.

Modi said that it was EC's responsibility to ensure impartial polls and he was making "very serious allegations" against the poll watchdog.

"You have failed to stop rigging and violence in these areas. False cases have been filed against our candidate Babul Supriyo. Election Commission's work is to protect people. I request you to fulfil your responsibilities in the right way," he said at the rally.